Throughout the Exodus narrative, we encounter the expression “hardened heart” over and over again. Three Hebrew verbs are used in this expression nearly interchangeably: lechazek, to strengthen, is used 12 times, lichvod, to burden/weigh down, is used 6 times, and likshot, to be difficult, is used once. The expression is used in eight different ways: Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (5 times), Pharaoh hardened his heart (3 times), the Egyptians hardened their hearts (once), Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart (5 times), Hashem says he will harden Pharaoh’s heart (3 times), Hashem says she will harden the Egyptians’ hearts (once), Hashem says they have hardened the Egyptians’ hearts (once), and Hashem says that Pharaoh’s heart is hardened (once). 

Through these subtle shifts between past, present and future tense, passive and active voice, narration and prophecy, the Torah presents us with a complicated and somewhat troubling explanation of the Egyptians’ behavior. In some places, we’re told Pharaoh and the Egyptians hardened their own hearts. In others, we’re told Hashem has hardened them. Other times, we aren’t told who’s doing the hardening at all.

This seems to challenge the doctrine of free will. In some verses, it almost seems like Pharaoh and the Egyptians are being used as puppets in a divine play. Hashem tells Moses, “I have hardened his heart in order to put these signs of mine in his midst, so into the ears of your children and your children’s children you may tell the story of how I made a mockery of the Egyptians... and you will know that I am God.” (Exodus 10:1-2) Another verse provides a puzzling clue. Hashem tells Moses to tell Pharaoh, “I am sending all of my plagues into your heart.” (Exodus 9:14

What can we learn from the story? 
What does it mean to have a hardened heart? 
Do we harden our own hearts, or do others? Or do our hearts harden themselves? 
To what extent do we control our behavior? 
Did Hashem really take the Egyptians’ free will away? 
If so, why? 

 


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story